BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN 
LEAFLETS 
The Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences 
Series 1 Brooklyn, N. Y., September 24, 1913 Number 11 
OUR NATIVE SHRUBS AND WHAT MAY 
BE DONE WITH THEM 
In how many of our gardens can one find any attempt to grow 
the wild shrubs of the countryside? The scramble for something- 
new, something startling, has almost overshadowed the quieter 
beauties, the softer harmonies of the shrubs that grow close at 
home. 
The accompanying table has been made up from an actual 
planting list used at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden of the Brook- 
lyn Institute in the installation of the shrub collections of the 
wild flower Garden. 
It will be noted that under each month group the names are 
arranged in botanical sequence so that allied plants are brought 
together. All the ninety-four species are offered for sale in 
American nurseries. Those in the column “Remarks and Notes” 
as well as about twenty others not included, must be collected 
in the wild. Wherever possible the writer will be glad to send 
information as to the sources of supply. 
A word now as to cultivation and care. Most of the shrubs, 
except those so noted, can either be planted in the spring or fall, 
as this is a matter that should be determined by the planter’s 
convenience. In digging the holes make them twice as wide and 
deep as the size of the roots apparently demand. Note carefully 
the column “Preferred Habitat,” so that the shrubs may find con- 
genial surroundings. Pack the soil well around the roots, water 
thoroughly, and frequently- if the weather is dry and windy. The 
first winter or two a heavy mulch of leaves, or leaves and manure 
mixed, to be dug in the following spring, will well repay- the ex- 
pense and trouble. 
It will be noted that some of the shrubs are marked with a 
dagger (f). These all belong to the heath family and require 
^Reprinted from The Garden Magazine, April, 1912. 
Copyright, Doubleday, Page & Company. 
